Law professor weighs in on Bundy not-guilty verdict

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Lewis and Clark Law School Professor Tung Yin weighed in on the not-guilty verdict reached in the case of seven defendants who occupied a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, and what could be next for other defendants to face trial in February.

Yin says the not-guilty verdict in Thursday’s trial might prompt the government to consider a strategy change for the trial on Feb. 14.

“We don't know what negotiations are happening, but if there haven’t been [any], you think they’d start thinking about it," he said. "And if there have been, you think the government might ante up some more benefits.”

Yin has followed the Bundy case closely. He’ll use this case as a lesson for his students.

As supporters of the occupiers celebrate the not-guilty verdict, the Bundy brothers Ammon and Ryan remain in custody. They face other charges in Nevada related to a 2014 standoff.

Yin said Thursday’s verdict in Oregon could have an impact there, as well.

“If I were the U.S. Attorney in Nevada, I would be somewhat concerned about this verdict," he said.

The not-guilty outcome that stunned a lot of people. Yin says people shouldn't jump to conclusions about why the jury made this decision.

A lot of them, he said, didn't know a lot about the case to begin with, and were only able to see certain pieces of evidence.

“In terms of the presentation of evidence, there may be evidence that doesn't come in for a variety of reasons, but which the public may hear about anyway, because of the press, and so on,” he said.